Photo taken on August 2, 2021 shows the Special Press Conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Kashgar. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhen Shixin

On August 2, 2021, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region held a special press conference on Kashgar. Three officials and seven ordinary people from Kashgar were invited to talk about the development and change of Kashgar Prefecture.

Photo taken on August 2, 2021 shows the hostess Mubarak Mugetti speaks at the Special Press Conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Kashgar. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhen Shixin

Hostess: Good morning, dear fellow media and journalists. Welcome to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region press conference on Kashgar. I’m the hostess of this press conference and my name is Mubarack Mugetti.

For a period of time, the United States and some western countries have fabricated a series of rumors and lies about Xinjiang, such as "forced labor" and "genocide" with the sinister purpose of "using Xinjiang to repress China", under the guise of "religion" and "human rights". The fact is that in recent years, Xinjiang has vigorously developed its economy, culture, education, tourism and other industries, protected the lawful rights and interests of people of all ethnic groups and their freedom of religious belief in accordance with the law. Remarkable achievements have been accomplished in various social undertakings, promoting national prosperity and social progress.

Today, we are very happy to have Aniwar Turson, commissioner of Kashgar Prefecture; Esetti Wurayinmu, director of Human Resources and Social Security Bureau of Kashgar Prefecture; Abudujapar Mijitti, director of Kashgar Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau, to talk about their work. In the meantime, we also invited seven ordinary people to tell us about their happy lives. They are Namettijiang Kasmu, Cheng Yongli, residents of a Liangzhong farm in Shufu County; Memetti Juma, a religious staff in Kashgar; Turhong Ehemetti, the principal of big cherry farmers professional cooperative of Mixia town in Shache County; Aliya Abulimitti, homestay shop owner of Kashgar ancient city; Zulifeya Ekmusan, a tour guide of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County; Ezzi Memettiming, head of Shentong Express Outlet in Kashgar.

In Kashgar, Xinjiang, the tie among all ethnic groups has been strengthened, and the legal religious activities and religious needs of religious believers have been fully protected. Free education has been provided to all ethnic groups for 15 years, medical care has been provided to all ethnic groups, and the social security system has covered each citizen who deserves it. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), the regional GDP has increased from 71.189 billion yuan to 113.022 billion yuan. The per capita disposable income of urban residents has increased year by year, and remarkable achievements have been made in various undertakings, and a sound situation of social stability, economic development, ethnic unity, and people living and working in peace and contentment has been presented. Now, I would like to invite Aniwar Turson, commissioner of Kashgar Prefecture, to brief you on the economic and social development and improvement of people's livelihood in Kashgar.

Photo taken on August 2, 2021 shows Aniwar Turson, commissioner of Kashgar Prefecture speaks at the Special Press Conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Kashgar. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhen Shixin

Aniwar Turson: Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, it’s a great pleasure to have you here. Thank you for your long-term care and support for various undertakings in Kashgar!

Kashgar, an important city in southern Xinjiang and China's gateway to the west, is home to 4.49 million people of all ethnic groups. As the hub of the ancient Silk Road, Kashgar has a long history of more than 2,000 years. It is a place where Eastern and Western civilizations meet. It is a national historical and cultural city with profound cultural heritage and enjoys the reputation of "the business card of Xinjiang”, for as a saying goes “one can never claim to be Xinjiang till he’s been to Kashgar". In recent years, with the support of the state, various undertakings in Kashgar have achieved remarkable success, presenting a sound situation of social stability, economic development, ethnic unity, and people living and working in peace and contentment.

We will continue to govern Xinjiang in accordance with the law, maintain unity and stability in Xinjiang, promote cultural development in Xinjiang, bring prosperity to its people, and build it on a long-term basis. We intensified publicity and education on the legal system, intensified counter-terrorism and radicalization efforts, and cracked down on violent and terrorist crimes severely in accordance with the law. As a result, the frequent occurrence of violent and terrorist crimes was curtailed, and no violent and terrorist cases occurred for four years and seven months in a row, ensuring that people of all ethnic groups were protected from violent and terrorist attacks to the maximum extent. We have consolidated and developed ethnic unity, and carried out regular activities of ethnic unity and fellowship, such as “national unity one family”. Ethnic groups are increasingly closer to each other, exchanges, meanwhile communication and integration have deepened, and the social atmosphere of solidarity, friendship, harmony and mutual assistance has become stronger. We have fully guaranteed the legal religious activities and needs of religious believers in accordance with the law, and continued to improve the conditions of venues for religious activities. Mosques have been equipped with drinking fountains, heating system, air conditioning and other facilities, with clean rooms and libraries to greatly facilitate religious believers. It can be said that today's Kashgar people are enjoying unprecedented harmony and stability dividend!

We have continued to ensure and improve the people's livelihood, carried out projects to benefit the people, and worked hard to build a happy Kashgar. We will implement the policy of giving priority to employment and ensure that everyone who has the will and ability to work will have a job and an income every month. Great progress has been made in education, with 15 years of free education available to all. Public medical care benefits people of all ethnic groups, and free health check-ups cover all registered population. Social security system has been provided to all people who deserve it. The coverage of old-age insurance, unemployment insurance, work-related injury insurance and maternity insurance was expanded year by year. Today, the life of people of all ethnic groups in Kashgar is getting better and better, with a sense of gain, happiness and security increasing day by day!

We have followed the new development philosophy and focused on high-quality development and opening-up. We have actively integrated into the construction of the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt. With the Kashgar Economic Development Zone as the leader and 12 county and city industrial parks as the support, "Ten major industries" have initially taken shape, and the industrial agglomeration effect has been significantly enhanced. Relying on Kashgar's geographical advantages, policy advantages of the economic development zone and its rich resources, we have actively pushed forward the opening up. In recent years, the import and export of goods in Kashgar area has increased year by year, and the foreign trade has been expanding, showing new vitality day by day!

With a long history, diverse cultures, magnificent scenery, rich folk customs and fruits, Kashgar is a tourist resort and a famous historical and cultural city in Xinjiang. We are firmly grasping the favorable environment for the steady and continuous release of dividends. We are working hard to transform and upgrade the tourism industry, improve its quality and performance, also improve the tourism environment, beautify the entire environment, and build an eco-tourism brand. A tourism development pattern with the ancient city of Kashgar as the leader and Taxkorgan Pamir scenic spot, Zepu Jinhuyang scenic spot, North Lake Park of Kashgar and HongHai scenic spot of Bachu as the support has been constructed. There are 34 scenic spots above 3-A level, including 3 5-A level scenic spots and 4 national key villages for rural tourism. Kashgar has become a high-profile tourist destination. In the first half of 2021, more than 8 million tourists from home and abroad came to Kashgar to enjoy its wonderful scenery, which is the best proof of Kashgar's charm.

Today, with a harmonious society, happy people, beautiful scenery and vitality, Kashgar is enjoying the best period of prosperity and development in its history. We firmly believe that the future of Kashgar will be more brilliant. Welcome friends from all over the world to visit Kashgar for sightseeing, feel the hospitality of the people of all ethnic groups in Kashgar, appreciate the unique natural customs, listen to every vivid story of Kashgar, and present a real and magical, vibrant and dynamic Kashgar to the world. Thank you!

Hostess: Thanks for the introduction from Aniwar Turson. In Shufu County, there are two families, they respect each other, learn from each other, help each other, and get rich together, just like one family. Now, let's invite Namettijiang Kasmu from Shufu County and his relative Cheng Yongli, to tell their story.

Photo taken on August 2, 2021 shows Naimettijiang Kasmu and Cheng Yongli tell the story about how their families help each other and get rich together at the Special Press Conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Kashgar. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhen Shixin

Namettijiang Kasmu: My name is Namettijiang Kasmu, and I’m 48 years old, I’m from Liangzhong farm in Shufu County. This is my uncle Cheng Yongli. We are neighbors. For more than 40 years, Uncle Cheng has been my father's good brother, my good uncle, and my children's good grandfather. Our two families are like one family, and we have always been the best "uncle and nephew" in the Liangzhong farm.

Cheng Yongli: My name is Cheng Yongli, and I’m 66 years old, a farmer from Liangzhong farm in Shufu County. Namettijiang’s father and I are good brothers. In 1980, my wife and I came to Liangzhong farm in Shufu County. Being a stranger to the farm, Namettijiang’s father Kasmu and others volunteered to help me, ploughing, watering, weeding, digging ditch, we are work together every day, after a long time, we became the best friends on the farm.

Namettijiang Kasmu: My mom died when I was young, and my dad was having a hard time being a mom and dad though he had asthma. Uncle Cheng helped my family transport fertilizers and plow the land. Besides, he taught my family to cultivate wheat seeds, cotton seeds. From time to time, I was invited to uncle Cheng’s home for dinner.

Cheng Yongli: Namettijiang’s mother died when her son was young, and his father died when he was an adult, we love him very much. In 2016, I advised Namettijiang to raise cattle. I gave him some money and taught him how to raise cattle. Later, when I organized the New Plum Planting Cooperative, I invited him to join the cooperative. I offered fund to help him start to plant plum trees, and taught him knowledge on planting and management.

Namettijiang Kasmu: Now, I raise 15 cows. I am making a living by selling milk and yogurt. Every year I have 4-5 young calves . I can earn about 140,000 yuan a year. Now I have become the first big cow farmer in our Liangzhong farm. When I was two years old, my mom died. When I was 27, my father passed away. It was Uncle Cheng who had been taking care of me, giving me support me just like my father.

One day in March of 2009, I was working in the field, my neighbor, Nurshaguli Abudukremu, came to me and said, "Your son is dying. Go home quickly!" My three-year-old son fell to the ground with food poisoning and frothed at the mouth. I was so scared when uncle Cheng rushed in and said, "Send the child to the hospital quickly!" He didn't say anything, just went home and put more than 5,000 yuan into my hand, urging me to send the child to the hospital at once. Fortunately, the rescue was timely and my child was saved! Now, my son is 15 years old, he's grown into a young man.

Cheng Yongli: I was touched by this child. In recent years, my wrist syndrome was so severe that I could not work in the fields. My two children were not with me, so I had to rely on my wife to take care of me. My family planted 65 acres of new plum, it is Namettijiang who drive his own tractor, work from morning to dark, transporting fertilizer and watering the woods. His face was tanned by the sunlight. He even lost a lot of weight, looking at him makes me feel I owe him so much! Without his help, I don't know what my plum orchard would have been like! He also asked his wife to bring their children to visit me from time to time, which made me both happy and touched. In June of this year, I suffered from wrist syndrome again, and my doctor suggested that I have surgery. When I was hospitalized, Namettijiang ran around to take care of me.

The happiest thing for both of our families is the festivals. Every Spring Festival, I would invite the Namettijiang family to my house to make dumplings, tangyuans, set off firecrackers. We would have a family reunion dinner to celebrate the New Year. During the Roza Festival and the Corban Festival, our family of four went to his home to send new clothes and shoes to his children. We would have mutton, fried sanzi, stewed haggis, eating and drinking to our heart’s content. We would have a happy festival together.

Namettijiang Kasmu: I often think that I can live such a good life today, thanks to uncle Cheng for more than 40 years of care for my family. I would like to use my own life time to accompany him when he grows old year by year. I will make my utmost efforts to, return his kindness.

Cheng Yongli: After more than 40 years of helping each other, my children have become good brothers with Namettijiang. I hope they can pass on the friendship of our fathers from generation to generation. Please watch the following video.

Namettijiang Kasmu: We are as close as a family. Some malicious foreigners’ claim of the existence of "cultural genocide" and "genocide" of Uygur in Xinjiang is nothing but impudent nonsense. Seeing is better than hearing. We welcome friends from all over the world to our beautiful Xinjiang and beautiful Kashgar for a walk and take a look.

Hostess: Thanks the introductions from Namettijiang Kasmu and Cheng Yongli. Respecting and protecting freedom of religious beliefs is a basic policy of the Chinese government. In Kashgar, the conditions of places for religious activities have been greatly improved. The freedom of religious beliefs and the legal religious activities have been well-protected. Now, let’s invite Memetti Juma, a religious staff in Kashgar to share with his personal experiences.

Photo taken on August 2, 2021 shows Memetti Juma speaks at the Special Press Conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Kashgar. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhen Shixin

Memetti Juma: I'm Hathivmemetti Juma from the Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar. I have been a religious worker since 2010, and I have successively engaged in religious affairs in Yurik Community Mosque, Sahea Community Mosque and Id Kah Mosque.

The Id Kah Mosque is one of the most famous scenic spots in Kashgar. It was founded in 1468 and has a history of 553 years. It was designated as a key cultural relics protection unit at the autonomous region level in 1962 and a national key cultural relics protection unit in 2001. Our country attaches great importance to the protection of the mosque and has allocated more than 10 million yuan for comprehensive refurbishment of four times, so that the ancient monument has always been radiant.

The mosque has a complete set of modern supporting facilities, especially the library which contains the Koran of multiple languages and versions, the Essence of Buhari's Records, and other religious classic books. The religious believers can read those books in the mosque library before and after prayer.

The Id Kah Mosque is only one of many mosques in Kashgar, and the conditions of other mosques in Kashgar are also very good. I remember when I was a child, I saw villagers go to the mosque to participate in worship activities. They had to clean themselves by the waterlogged dam, which was neither convenient nor hygienic. The rural dirt road in front of the mosque challenged those who walked on it. Over the years, with the government's investment, the conditions of all mosques in Kashgar have been greatly improved. The buildings are spacious, bright, clean and tidy. Tap water, electricity, radio and television, cultural study, clean room, water flush toilet, first-aid kit, electronic display screen, telephone, computer, air conditioning, heating, natural gas, water dispenser, shoe cover machine, lockers and other facilities are all available now. It has provided significant convenience for religious people and believers to carry out religious activities, and the majority of them are very satisfied.

Kashgar Islam Association also sent our religious personages to religious colleges and universities at all levels for study and training, so as to comprehensively improve our level of lecturing and interpreting scriptures and our comprehensive quality. Next, please watch a video.

Recently, some foreigners with evil intentions always speak ill of our Xinjiang, and they make irresponsible comments on our affairs in Xinjiang, and spread rumors about "restricting freedom of religious belief". It's really malicious.

Today, with the help of the platform of the press conference, what I want to say to you is: Lie is always lie even if it has been told for a thousand times. I sincerely welcome friends from all over the world to our beautiful Kashgar and to take a look at it. The real situation in Kashgar will give you a satisfactory answer!

Hostess: Thanks for the introduction from Memetti Juma. Kashgar is the hometown of melons and fruits. The characteristic forest and fruit industry has developed rapidly. Farmers' income from planting fruit trees has increased year by year, and their living standards have thus been improved year by year, so as to get rid of poverty and increase income. Next, let's invite Turhong Ehemetti of Shache County to tell his story.

Photo taken on August 2, 2021 shows Turhong Ehemetti speaks at the Special Press Conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Kashgar. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhen Shixin

Turhong Ehemetti: Hello everyone! My name is Turhong Ehemetti, the head of the Big Cherry Farmers' Professional Cooperative in Mixia Town, Shache County.

We set up a cooperative a few years ago. Through improving planting technology and expanding sales channels, the cooperative operation is getting better and better. The sales volume of cherries is increasing year by year, and our living standard is improving year by year. Today our life is as sweet as cherries. Now, let’s watch a video first.

When we first grew cherries, we had no experience. We were on our own, with small scale and poor management. We ended up with low yield, poor quality and low price of cherries. We were unable to earn money with those cherries. As a result, farmers were discouraged. Later, I heard that cooperatives could be run in partnership. The town issued favorable policies. Professional technicians were sent to teach management skills. So, in 2010, I registered with seven partners to establish the Big Cherry Farmers' Professional Cooperative in Mixia Town. At that time, there were 12 employees, 7 mu of cherry orchard, 28 sales points, and multiple functional areas such as picking area, amusement area, night market area, B & B area and parking area. At the same time, we also offered free planting management training to growers. Up to now, the cooperative has grown to 58 growers, with a cherry planting area of 2,800 mu. At present, the annual dividend for each member of the cooperative is up to 20,000 yuan.

With improved management, long hours of sunlight and less rain, the output of cherry trees has increased from 200 kg per mu to 500-800 kg per mu. In addition, our cherries are large and sweet. They have uniform pulp and bright color. The income of fruit farmers has also increased from 10,000 yuan per mu to 30,000-50,000 yuan per mu. Now the cherry orchard in Mixia Town has been developed into a tourism ecological park. Tourists from all over the world come to find us in May every year. We specially planned and set up an must-go destination as an online hot-spot, and we also invite online influencers to open a live-streaming show to pormote the sale of cherries. Now, when cherries are harvested, purchasers drive to buy cherries in person with their trucks. Fruit farmers no longer need to carry cherries to the market as before. Now our cherries are sold all over the country.

Photo shows early-maturing big cherries

With the joint efforts of cooperatives and villagers, our life is getting better and better and day by day. Cherry has become our "Cash Cow", and the average annual income of each household is about 150,000 yuan every year. For example, my family has 3 mu of cherries, with an annual income of about 150,000 yuan a year. Coupled with the income of the cooperative, now our family can easily earn more than 200,000 yuan a year. Because of the planting of cherries, everyone has lived a well-off life and we have moved from the previous adobe house to the current appartment. Tap water has also been connected and cable TV has been installed. Now, the villagers all have their own savings and some have even bought their own cars.

Recently, however, some malicious people said that there were "forced labor" and "genocide" in Xinjiang. This is totally nonsense. Take planting cherries as an example, our villagers grow cherries voluntarily because planting cherries can make money and improve our own life. I advise them to stop making up lies, because we’re now living a really good life!

Hostess: Thanks for the introduction from Turhong Ehemetti. Kashgar has vigorously promoted the protection and inheritance of the traditional culture of ethnic minorities. The government has actively put Xinjiang Traditional Crafts Revitalization Plan, the Implementation Opinions on Further Promoting the Inheritance and Development of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Our Region and other documents into good practices. The traditional culture of ethnic minorities has been effectively protected and inherited. Next, let's connect with "Xinjiang Ethnic Musical Instrument Village" in Wukusak Town, Shufu County, and invite Rezeye Elken to lead you to visit the ethnic musical instrument production workshop.

Hostess: Thanks for the introduction from Rezeye Elken. In recent years, Kashgar has carried out vocational skills education and training in accordance with the law. The students have dispelled extreme ideas, enhanced legal awareness, mastered the standard spoken and written Chinese language and an employment skill, and then they can successfully graduate. Now, let’s invite Aliya Abulimitti, the owner of a B & B hotel in the ancient city of Kashgar, to tell her story.

Photo taken on August 2, 2021 shows Aliya Abulimitti speaks at the Special Press Conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Kashgar. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhen Shixin

Aliya Abulimitti: My name is Aliya Abulimitti, and I am a graduate student of the former the vocational education and training center in Kashgar. Now I am the owner of a B&B hotel. Let me tell you how I started my business.

In the past, influenced by religious extremism, I thought that the Uygurs were born Muslims and had to believe in Islam. I didn't let my family sing and dance. I abused those who sang and danced. I often quarreled with my family. My mother's blood pressure rose several times and was sent to the hospital because of me, which made my family very worried. Finally, my mother talked me into going to the vocational education and training center.

The learning and living conditions of the vocational education and training center were very good. The teachers cared about us very much. Foods and accommodations were all free. There, I learned the knowledge of the standard spoken and written Chinese language, law and de-extremization. The center also opened interest classes such as dance, painting, and beauty salon. I chose to sign up my favorite dance class and tour guide class. Later, I became a versatile "Little Star" in the class. There were more and more friends around me, and my family was very happy to see my changes.

Not long after graduation, with my fluent standard spoken and written Chinese language, dance skills and tour guide knowledge, I successfully land a job in Kashgar Ancient City Tourism Company and become a tour guide. Every day I introduced the characteristic buildings of the ancient city, Uygur folk customs and delicious food to the tourists. More and more domestic and foreign tourists have come here for sightseeing. When I saw that my friend's B&B hotel income was very promising, I told my family my plan to open a B&B hotel as well. My family could not agree more. After careful design and decoration, my B & B hotel which integrates accommodation and catering soon opened. Many photographers like the Uygur architectural decoration style of my hotel so much that they have shot photos of rooms with Uygur carvings and characteristics. The unique decoration style has also been deeply adored by tourists. Many foreign tourists have booked rooms in advance in my online store. Now the rooms are full every day, and I can make a monthly income of about 50,000 yuan. Now, I have become more and more confident in running my B&B hotel.

Running a B&B hotel can not only make money, but also make friends with tourists from different countries and cities. I enjoy listening to them talk about interesting stories. What impressed me most was that in early May this year, four ladies who came to Kashgar from Beijing stayed with me for more than a month. They said: "I really like the pace of life here in Kashgar. The people here are very friendly and the environment is very comfortable and safe." A young couple from Shanghai came to Kashgar for tour and stayed at my hotel for more than ten days. They liked the architectural style of the ancient city very much. They were fond of food, clothing and dance, and handicrafts with Uygur characteristics. At the same time, they also feel the hospitality of Kashgar. They feel very safe, and enjoy the slow-paced life here.

I grew up in the ancient city of Kashgar and witnessed the development and changes of the ancient city. I like every corner of the ancient city of Kashgar. The fresh air, the quiet paths, the romantic coffee houses and even the beautiful night scenery of the ancient city has attracted many domestic and foreign tourists to Kashgar for sightseeing. I also want to open another branch of my B&B hotel to make tourists at home and abroad more satisfied.

Photo shows the B&B hotel in the ancient city of Kashgar

Photo shows the B&B hotel in the ancient city of Kashgar

Recently, I saw some foreign people with malicious motives said on the Internet that the vocational education and training center in Xinjiang was a "concentration camp". They are talking nonsense! If it is really like what they said, how could I still have my current entrepreneurial achievements and happy life? Now, I am not only the owner of a home stay shop, but also the "Guli" who publicizes the beauty of Kashgar. I sincerely welcome all of you to travel to Kashgar and visit my home!

Hostess: Thanks for the introduction from Aliya Abulimitti. Kashgar ancient city is an open tourist attraction. Here you can find Uygur customs, traditional handicrafts, well-seasoned food and so on. Next, let's connect with Rezia Memetti, the guide of Kashgar ancient city, who is going to lead us to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Kashgar ancient city.

Hostess: Thanks for the introduction from Rezia Memetti. For a long time, Kashgar's beautiful and unique natural and cultural landscape has attracted a large number of domestic and foreign tourists, promoted the employment of local people and increased the income of people of all ethnic groups. Next, let's invite Zulifeya Ekmusan, a guide of Taxkorgan County, to tell her story.

Photo taken on August 2, 2021 shows Zulifeya Ekmusan speaks at the Special Press Conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Kashgar. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhen Shixin

Zulifeya Ekmusan: Hello everyone! My name is Zulifeya Ekmusan from Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County in Xinjiang, and I’m working as a guide.

When I was young, what I loved to do most was to go to weddings with my father. He had a lot of friends, and everyone loved to invite him to their weddings. Our friends and the tourists were all interested in witnessing the traditional Tajik wedding. In addition to the traditional wedding ceremony, the ancient Tajik cultural customs and ancient architectural relics have also been preserved to this day, such as Eagle Flute, Eagle Dance, Hand Drum, Hand-Kissing Ceremony, Stone City, Princess Castle, and Quman Village fire worship ruins, etc.

Since our hometown is located in the depths of the mountains, when I was a child, I could only understand the wonderful world outside the mountains through television and radio. So, I had a dream from childhood that I could go out of the mountains and see the outside world with my own eyes. When I grew up, I continued to study hard and was admitted to a university in Wuhan to study tourism management. In college, my classmates and I visited the scenery and places of interest in Wuhan, including Yellow Crane Tower, East Lake, Red Tower, Yangtze River Bridge and its surrounding villages. Looking at the bustling tourists in the scenic spot, I was thinking that my hometown also has beautiful scenery and unique folk customs such as the famous Muztagh Ata, Stone City scenic spot, Jincaotan National Wetland Park and Caiyun People's Folk village, which will be favored by tourists. So, at that time, I thought about going home to work and show the beautiful scenery of my hometown to tourists at home and abroad after graduation.

With this ambition, I returned to my hometown after graduating from university in June of 2019. Seeing the recruitment of staff in Pamir Scenic Spot on the Internet, I immediately signed up for it and took the exam. Finally, I was lucky to be admitted. After I went to work in the scenic spot, the scenic spot paid me five insurances and one fund. I worked eight hours a day in the scenic spot, rested two days a week, and earned 4,700 yuan a month. I like this job as a tour guide very much.

In the recent two years, with the improvement of traffic conditions, the tourism industry in Taxkorgan County has become more and more popular. The beautiful and unique natural scenery and cultural landscape have attracted a large number of tourists. The Muztagh Ata, with an altitude of 7546 meters, is known as the "Father of Glaciers". With 72 glaciers, it is the preferred training site for climbing Mount Qomolangma; Stone City in our county is one of the four major stone cities in the world, with a history of more than 2,000 years. It is the intersection of the Middle Road and the South Road of the ancient Silk Road; The environment in Caiyun People's Folk Village is quiet and far from the noise. The local Tajik people are good at singing and dancing, and their unique marriage customs, folk songs, Eagle Dance, costumes and handicrafts are perfectly displayed right there; Jincaotan National Wetland Park has abundant water and grass. The water and the sky here have joint blue color, and it is also the best perspective for photographing the Muztagh Ata; Panlong Ancient Road has a total length of 30 kilometers and more than 600 bends, which makes it look like a giant dragon galloping in the mountains. Here, snow mountains, lakes, wetlands, ancient cities, songs and dances have formed a beautiful scenery. Under my explanation, more and more tourists linger on the natural scenery and cultural customs of Taxkorgan County. In the past two years, I have become a excellent tour guide in the Pamir Scenic Spot from a childish student. I’m thankful for this job because it has brought gratifying changes to my life.

Photo shows the Jincaotan National Wetland Park

Photo shows the relic of Stone City

Photo shows the Panlong Ancient Road

Photo shows Eagle Dance

In December 2019, Pamir Tourist Attraction successfully became a national 5A tourist attraction. In 2020, the county received more than 700,000 tourists, which brought rich income of tourism to our county. A large number of villagers were hired and a well-off society was achieved. I also contributed to alleviating poverty and achieving prosperity in my hometown with my own labor. Now, let’s watch a video.

These days, some foreign media slander that Xinjiang "exterminates the cultures of ethnic minorities", which is completely a rumor. They just don't want to see the development of Xinjiang and the people of all ethnic groups live a happy life. I sincerely invite friends at home and abroad to spectacular Kashgar to pay a visit to the beautiful Taxkorgan County! Thank you!

Hostess: Thanks for the introduction from Zulifeya Ekmusan. Kashgar is the window of China's opening to the West and the distribution center of commodities. The rapid development of Kashgar's economy has driven the development and growth of logistics enterprises, increased the employment and income of many who are engaged in express service and led a happy life. Now, let's invite Ezzi Memettiming, the head of a outlet of Shentong Express network in Kashgar City, to tell his story.

Photo taken on August 2, 2021 shows Ezzi Memettiming speaks at the Special Press Conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Kashgar. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhen Shixin

Ezzi Memettiming: Hello everyone! My name is Ezzi Memettiming, and now I’m working in a outlet of Shentong Express in Kashgar City.

In 2014, with the recommendation of my friends, I went to work in an outlet of the Express and then I soon fell in love with this trade.

At the beginning, because I was not familiar with my business and my standard spoken and written Chinese language was not good, I could only deliver 70 orders a day. So, my monthly income was not so much even if I had gained the bonus. Seeing that my colleagues were paid more, I had decided to get familiar with business as soon as possible. I decided to study the standard spoken and written Chinese language hard and earn more money! With the help of my colleagues and my own efforts, my standard spoken and written Chinese language level and business have improved rapidly, and I have completed more and more tasks. I feel that I have become a real courier.

With more and more tourists coming to Kashgar year by year, Kashgar's ethnic costumes, handicrafts, dried fruits and other tourist souvenirs have become very popular with tourists. Many people buy goods through the deliveries made by the express to their homes. At the same time, more and more people are buying their favorite goods on the Internet, driving the rapid development of the logistics express industry.

In 2020, with the support and help of the company's manager, I opened my own express outlet and hired two employees to run my own business. In my work, my enthusiastic service has been recognized by customers, and my business is getting better and better. I took a video of my work. Now, please have a look.

Now, with the increase of aircraft and railway shifts and the increase of economic exchanges between different provinces, my delivery volume is far more than that in a few years ago. I can now deliver at least 1,000 orders a day, and I can earn 20,000 yuan a month. In the future, I want to expand my business scale, add two or three outlets, earn more money, find a beautiful girlfriend and build a happy family.

Recently, I saw some foreign media on the Internet saying "Uygurs are forced to work in Xinjiang". I think this is really a big joke. Our life is in our own hands. I’m always willing to earn money and live a quality life through my own efforts. What kind of compulsion should this be anyway? May I suggest you coming to our Xinjiang to have a look. The facts will tell you everything!

Hostess: Thanks for the introduction from Ezzi Memettiming. Next, I would like to take questions from the members of the media.

Reporter from People's Daily: Now some western countries and enterprises are boycotting Xinjiang's cotton, photovoltaic and other industries on the grounds that "forced labor" exists in these fields. Can you talk about the real situation of labor and employment in Kashgar? What measures has Kashgar taken to solve the problems of ethnic minority employment and increasing their income? Thanks.

Photo taken on August 2, 2021 shows Esetti Wurayinmu answers questions at the Special Press Conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Kashgar. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhen Shixin

Esetti Wurayinmu: Hello, friends of the press! I'm Esetti Wurayinmu, the Director of Human Resources and Social Security Bureau of Kashgar Prefecture.

For a period of time, the United States and the some other western countries have fabricated "forcing Uygur farmers to work." This is pure slander and rumor, and we firmly oppose it! Next, let me introduce you the real employment situation in Kashgar.

In recent years, Kashgar has conscientiously implemented national laws and regulations, adhering to the policy of "workers choose jobs independently, market regulates employment, government promotes employment and encourages entrepreneurship", while focusing on the goal of "everyone has a job with steady income". We stick to combining the local employment and the orderly transfer of employment to accelerate the construction of a public employment service system, and strive to help people of all ethnic groups achieve employment with higher-quality.

The first approach is to rely on industrial development to increase local jobs. At present, there are more than 295,600 market entities in Kashgar, 1 economic development zone plus 12 industrial parks of county and city levels, and 5,211 enterprises. In the past five years, the number of urban and rural employers transfers from nearby places has increased from 389,100 to 1.611 million, an average of 240,000 per year. Through industrial development and promotion, Kashgar is creating more employment continuously.

The second approach is to facilitate the transfer of surplus labor force for employment. Kashgar is a populous area with great surplus labor, while some developed provinces are in short supply of labors. What we can do is to establish a connection between the local labor force and the employment demands of other regions, and help those who are willing to find satisfactory and more profitable jobs. For example, Alimu Nurmemetti and Gulimelike Yimin, residents of Gazkule Township, Makit County, were employed in a food company in Yantai, Shandong Province in 2020, with an annual income of 170,000 yuan, which helped the family get rid of poverty completely. Through telling their relatives and friends about their life and work experience during the work period, they have inspired the surrounding people to go out for employment actively.

The third approach is to actively support those who return to the hometown to start a business. With employment and entrepreneurship subsidies, vocational skills training subsidies, social insurance subsidies and other employment promotion policies and measures, people who return to their hometown are encouraged and supported to start businesses and absorb labor force to get a job. For example, Memettiyiimin Aiheti from Yikesu Township, Zepu County, started to establish a textile and apparel manufacturing industry in 2008. With the support of the national policies, it has continued to develop and grow, protecting more than 200 local jobs, and is worth more than 7 million yuan.

The fourth approach is to strengthen the capacity building of grassroots public employment service institutions. Public employment services are offered for people of all ethnic groups, which provides employees with equal opportunities to participate in employment and entrepreneurship. By the end of 2020, there were 13 human resource markets above the county level in Kashgar, and 3,019 grassroots labor security stations, providing various employment services to more than 1.0463 million person-times each year. In the past five years, it has helped 21,100 urban residents with difficulties in finding employment. In the public employment service system with gradual improvement, people of all ethnic groups in Kashgar will continue to obtain better employment services.

Finally, I want to emphasize that all rights and interests of workers of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are protected by law, and they have the freedom to choose their careers. It is their own will that decide where they go and what work they do. Whether transfer of employment is "forced labor" or not, Xinjiang people have the most right to answer! Thanks.

Hostess: Thanks Esetti Wurayinmu's answer. Next, please continue to ask questions.

Reporter from Xinhua News Agency: In recent years, the tourism industry in Kashgar has developed rapidly, and people of all ethnic groups are enjoying the dividends brought by tourism development. Can you talk about the specific situation of tourism in Kashgar? Thanks.

Hostess: Let’s give the floor to Abudujapar Mijitti, the Director of the Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism of Kashgar Prefecture .

Photo taken on August 2, 2021 shows Abudujapar Mijitti answers questions at the Special Press Conference of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Kashgar. Photo by Xinjiang Daily/ Zhen Shixin

Abudujapar Mijitti: Friends from the media, I am very happy to meet you here. In recent years, Kashgar adheres to the people-oriented development concept, vigorously develops the cultural tourism industry, and continuously meets the people's growing needs for a better life, and the sense of cultural tourism and happiness of the masses is increasing.

First, the cultural heritage of ethnic minorities has been effectively protected and inherited. The central and local governments have always attached great importance to the protection and inheritance of the excellent traditional culture of all ethnic groups, and issued a series of laws and regulations and other policy to support, such as the state promulgating the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the autonomous region promulgating the Regulations of Uygur Muqam Art Protection in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Up to now, Kashgar has established national, autonomous regional, regional and county (city) intangible cultural heritage list system. Xinjiang Uygur Mukam art and Meshrep have been listed in the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list. The whole region has announced four batches of 141 regional intangible cultural heritage representative projects, of which 21 items have been selected into the national intangible cultural heritage representative projects, 70 items were selected as representative projects of intangible cultural heritage at the autonomous region level. There are 23 representative inheritors of national intangible cultural heritage projects, 86 at the autonomous region level and 229 at the ` level. With the unremitting efforts of protection units at all levels, they are still growing. There are 2,888 cultural institutions of all kinds at all levels, realizing the full coverage of the public cultural service network at the prefecture, county, township and village levels.

Second, the tourism industry has achieved high-quality development. Kashgar has made great efforts to develop tourism, with the goal of building a "Silk Road culture and ethnic customs tourism destination", and strive to cultivate tourism into a strategic pillar industry of the national economy and a richness and happiness industry benefiting the people's livelihood. In 2021, 23 key cultural tourism projects are newly built and 8 projects will be built continuously in the region, with a total investment of more than 1.8 billion yuan; It has successively issued policy documents such as the Interim Measures for The Management of Special Subsidy Funds for Cultivating Air Routes in Kashgar Prefecture and The Incentive Support Measures for Further Promoting the Development of Cultural Tourism Industry in Kashgar Prefecture, and comprehensively arranged 10 million yuan of special funds to support the implementation of the policy every year; Support counties and cities to actively build key rural tourism villages, focus on the construction of rural tourism infrastructure and public service facilities, carry out all kinds of talent training, cultivate new business forms such as health care, self driving camps and rural home stay, and absorb more than 127,000 workers for employment through various measures. In the first half of 2021, the whole region received 8.639 million tourists, realizing a tourism income of 6.477 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 33.69% and 25.47% respectively.

Recently, some western anti-China politicians and media, out of sinister intentions to undermine Xinjiang's security and stability and contain China's development, concoct so-called "genocide," "forced labor," "extinction of ethnic minority culture," and other false and maliciously slanderous false information to attack and discredit Xinjiang. We expressed strong indignation and firm opposition to this despicable act. As participants and witnesses of Xinjiang's construction and development, whether the people of Xinjiang live well or not, the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have the most say, and it is not the turn of the lie makers to make irresponsible remarks.

"One can never claim to be in Xinjiang till he’s been to Kashgar." Taking the opportunity of this conference, we sincerely invite friendly people from home and abroad to visit our beautiful and harmonious Kashgar for sightseeing, to experience the magnificent natural wonders, unique folk customs and cultural charm.

Hostess: The commissioner of the Kashgar Prefecture Administrative Office, Aniwar Turson, who participated in today's press conference, introduced us the economic and social development and the improvement of people's livelihood in Kashgar just now. 7 people shared their life experiences and living conditions, people in charge of related unit introduced to us the situation of labor and employment, heritage and protection of culture as well as tourism, and let us see a harmonious, vigorous, happy and open Kashgar. It is hoped that the anti-China forces in the United States and other western countries will stop attacking and discrediting us, view the development and changes in Xinjiang in an objective and fair manner, and objectively and fairly evaluate the policies of the Chinese government to stabilize Xinjiang, govern and enrich Xinjiang.

Today's conference is over, thanks to the speakers and friends from the media.